Millions of people worldwide have been and are continuing to work from home in light of the current global pandemic. Working from home can be a fantastic solution for many people, but it is not without challenges. Issues that you never faced in a traditional office may rear their ugly heads while working from home. To stay productive and navigate your workload, you must combat procrastination and distractions. Of course, this is easier said than done, but setting yourself up for success can make staying on task much more manageable. Use these tips and tricks to fight procrastination while working from home.
Tune Out
Sound or noise can be one of the most distracting things while working from home. It cannot be easy to focus on work if your housemates are watching TV in the other room or your neighbors are blasting music. It can be all too easy to wonder what movie your housemates are watching and suddenly half an hour has passed because watching a movie is generally more fun than working. You should work with your housemates to set ground rules for work hours, but no system will ever be perfect. When you can’t eliminate distracting noise, your best option is to tune it out or drown it out with audio that helps you focus. Grab a pair of wireless headphones or a gaming headset, preferably with noise-canceling options, and listen to helpful audio to cover up the distracting noise. Put on a podcast or music while you work to keep you focused and cover up distracting sounds around you.
Set A Routine
Your standard routine has been upended by working from home, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need a new routine. It can be tempting just to wing it while working from home, but that is a recipe for disaster. Keep yourself on track by giving your new daily life structure and routine. At the very least, set what time you get up for work, take a lunch break, and end work for the day. Setting a schedule will keep you on task, help you meet deadlines, and manage procrastination. When you know how much time you have to finish assignments and have a clear schedule each day, you know when you can take breaks without sacrificing your work. It would help if you built breaks into your routine as quick breaks help you reset your brain and think clearly. Breaks are different from procrastination; set a routine so you can take breaks and maintain a good work-life balance without procrastinating.
Set Up A Good Work Space With Everything You Need
Procrastination typically stems from not wanting to do what you are tasked with or not being comfortable in your current environment and wanting to do something more fun or sit somewhere more comfortable. While your work might not always be exciting or engaging, you can control your home work environment. Most of us will be working from home for the foreseeable future, so take the time to build a workspace that is conducive to focus and combats procrastination. Set up a sturdy desk with a comfortable chair at a minimum. If you are working from a laptop, invest in a standard 27” second monitor, so you aren’t forced to hunch over a small screen or sift through countless tabs to find what you want.
Creating a functional workspace that will ward off procrastination involves more than just essential equipment. Add visual interest to your workspace with plants, posters, or desktop decor to keep your workspace inviting and comfortable. Keep a refillable water bottle on your desk to stay hydrated throughout the day and limit your “excuses” to get up to grab a drink or a snack. Ensure that the things you need throughout your workday are within reach of your workspace to stay focused and limit the reasons to justify procrastination.
Working from home can be fantastic, but it is not without challenges. Procrastination can seriously derail remote work, and you must take steps to mitigate procrastination in your daily work life. Tune out distracting noises with headphones and audio of your choice. Set a new daily routine to give your work from home life some structure and include breaks to keep your mind fresh throughout the day. Set up a functional workspace with everything you need to be productive and comfortable. With the right preparations, you can successfully work from home and not fall prey to procrastination.
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